Muscle Fatigue in Soccer Essay Example

a decrease in muscle glycogen can affect sprint performance in soccer players (Mohr, Krustrup & Bangsbo, 2005). Additionally, fatigue can impact a soccer player's total distance covered during a match. This varies depending on the position of the player but is highly correlated with their maximum aerobic power.

The text suggests that a participant's level of aerobic fitness is directly related to the distance they are able to cover in a 90-minute position-dependent match (Reilly & Thomas, 1976). This relationship between aerobic fitness and distance has also been observed in other studies (Bangsbo, 1994; Impellizzeri et al., 2006; Krustrup, Mohr, Ellingsgaard & Bangsbo, 2005). Additionally, the level of competition a participant is engaged in can affect the distance they cover. Top-tier conferences have reported greater distances covered in order to meet the demands of the game. Ekblom (1986) found that this increase in distance is accompanied by a rise in core temperature, with participants in top professional conferences exhibiting a 0.4°C higher rectal temperature compared to those in lower-ranking matches. This suggests a strong connection between muscle fatigue and performance capabilities. Rahnama & Reilly (2002) discovered that a proper warm-up can reduce the risk of injury within the first 15 minutes of play. However, an overly intense warm-up can deplete metabolic energy reserves as the game approaches its end, when those reserves may be more critical.

Research consistently shows that as a match progresses, participants are unable to maintain the same level of intensity. This is evidenced by a lower total distance covered in the second half compared to the first half (Van Gool, Van Gerven & Boutmans, 1988; Reilly & Thomas, 1976; Bangsbo, Horregaard &

Thorso, 1991; Mohr, Krustrup & Bangsbo, 2003; Di Salvo, Baron & Cardinale, 2007; Bangsbo, 1994). As fitness levels improve, the demands of the game increase due to the higher speed at which it can be played (Reilly, Drust & Clarke, 2008). The decrease in performance in the second half indicates that fatigue sets in throughout the period. Mohr, Krustrup & Bangsbo (2003) found a decrease in high-intensity running in both professional and recreational participants, particularly in the last 15 minutes when the largest decrease in distance occurred. This suggests that muscle glycogen depletion is significant enough to impair participants' ability to keep up with the pace of the game.

The study revealed that professional participants exhibited higher strength compared to amateur participants, suggesting that those competing at a higher level have increased aerobic capacity. Fatigue can lead to a decrease in the ability to generate the necessary force to complete physical activities (Hawley ; Reilly, 1997). Rahnama, Reilly, Lees ; Graham-Smith (2003) further supported this phenomenon by measuring peak torque in the quadriceps and hamstrings during a match. Total muscle force declined at both points of the match, with greater reduction at the end, indicating muscle glycogen depletion and compromised muscle activity. Additionally, adjustments in knee flexion and extension were observed due to low muscle glycogen levels, which resulted in decreased knee joint stability (Reilly, Drust ; Clarke, 2008).

The articulatio genu articulation problems were also identified by Gleeson, Reilly, Mercer, Rakowski ; Rees (1998), where the protective mechanisms were affected, allowing for a greater angle at the joint after 90 minutes of exercise. The exercise caused an electromechanical delay in the articulatio genu joint's motion,

as well as anterior tibio-femoral displacement, suggesting that participants would be at risk of serious ligament injury as their fatigue affects their ability to perform at the same high intensity as earlier in the match. The technical aspect of association football is very important, with significant areas of the game such as passing, shooting, and tackling all playing a crucial role in the outcome of each match. Bearing this in mind, research has investigated the impact of fatigue on the technical performance of participants.

Leess and Davies (1988) conducted a study on the effects of general kicking technique and found that there is a loss of coordination between the upper and lower body. This lack of coordination leads to a decrease in kicking speed, which suggests that both passes and shots will be weaker. The coordination problems also affect timing and result in poor contact between the foot and the ball due to fatigue. Apriantono, Nunome, Ikegami & Sano (2006) found similar results in their study, as both the upper and lower body were impaired, resulting in decreased speed and reduced muscle force production due to fatigue. Tackling ability may also be affected by this lack of coordination, which can negatively impact performance and even lead to player expulsion. This highlights the importance of fatigue during the later stages of a match for individual players and the potential ripple effect it can have on the entire team.

According to research, fatigue can have negative effects on coordination and technique skills. Carling & Dupont (2011) studied professional players in Ligue 1 and observed a decline in physical performance during the last 15 minutes of games due to muscle

glycogen depletion. This depletion limits their ability to perform at their best level. However, passing skills remained consistent throughout the game, suggesting that fatigue had little impact on passing ability. This finding contradicts previous research by Reilly, Drust & Clark (2008), which suggested that fatigue could affect skill performance. On the other hand, Russell, Benton & Kingsley (2011) analyzed young players in a professional academy and found that their passing quality deteriorated as a result of muscle fatigue in their lower body, which affected ball control.

Rampinini et Al (2008) conducted a study on recreational participants to assess their passing ability throughout a 90-minute match. The study found that the accuracy of their passes decreased as the game progressed, which was also observed in research conducted by Lyons, Al-Nakeeb & Nevill (2006) with recreational participants. These results indicate that muscle fatigue can negatively impact the technical aspects of the game for recreational players. Prior research suggests that there is a lack of studies involving semi-professional soccer players, hence no comparison can be made between professional and recreational players in this regard.

Both of these studies analyzed the passing accomplishment via the Loughborough Soccer Passing Test (LSPT) which involves an activity in which participants' passing and control ability are measured. Both studies suggested that the LSPT provided replicable results and that the evaluation method was ideal. Another skill-measuring facility is the Loughborough Soccer Shooting Test (LSST) which assesses participants' shooting ability by targeting specific areas of the goal. This method is less common in research, but Ali et al (2007) has evaluated its reliability and validity, concluding that it is a valid and reliable way to measure suggested

measures. These methods can be used in research as they produce replicable results when obtained. A way to simulate the activity pattern characterizing a 90-minute football match has also been achieved through the Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test (LIST). Current studies have used this test to conduct research indoors and without the need for 22 participants to create a full-size game (Impellizzeri, Rampinini & Marcora, 2007; McGregor, Nicholas, Lakomy & Williams, 2010).

Nicholas, Nutall & A ; Williams ( 2010 ) conducted a study to analyze the test-retest reliability of the protocol. They found that it was replicable and that the activity pattern and physiological responses closely simulated the demands of a soccer game.

Several studies have examined muscle fatigue's impact on performance and compared differences in distance traveled and intensity of work between professional and recreational players. These studies also explore how muscle fatigue affects participants' technical abilities. However, there is limited research on semi-professional players, as existing studies primarily focus on extreme levels of ability.

Given the disparities between professional and recreational players, it would be intriguing to investigate similarities between semi-professional and recreational players, particularly when compared to top-level professionals. This study aims to assess the effects of muscle fatigue using specific skill assessment protocols among semi-professional and recreational soccer players.

References

1. Ali, A., Williams, C., Hulse, M., Strudwick, A., Reddin, J., Howarth, L., Eldred, J., Hirst, M., & McGregor, S. (2007). Reliability and validity of two tests of association football skill.
   
   Journal of sport science, 25,
   
   1461-1470.
2. Apriantono, T., Nunome,

H.

, Ikegami, Y., & Sano, S. (2006). The effect of muscle fatigue on instep kicking dynamics and kinematics in association football. Journal of Sports Sciences, 24 (9), 951-60.

The article "The physiology of soccer- with particular mention to intense intermittent exercise" is found in Acta Physiologica Scandinavica. Supplementum, issue 619, page 1. The authors of the article are Bangsbo, J., Norregaard, L., & Thorsoe, F. (1991).

The text below presents the activity profile of competition association football, as discussed in the Canadian Journal of Sport Sciences, volume 16, issue 2, pages 110-116. Carling and Dupont (2011) conducted a study on the relationship between declines in physical performance and skill-related performance during professional association football matches. Their findings were published in the Journal of Sports Sciences, volume 29, pages 63-71. Additionally, Ekblom (1986) conducted research on this topic as well.The text below discusses the applied physiology of association football in the context of sports medicine. It is found in the Journal of Sports Medicine, volume 3 (issue 1), pages 50-60. The authors mentioned are Gleeson, N. P., Reilly, T., and Mercer, T. H.

The study by Rakowski, S. and Rees, D. (1998) in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 30(4), 596-608 examines the effects of acute endurance activity on leg neuromuscular and musculoskeletal performance. Another relevant source is the research conducted by Hawley, J.A., and Reilly, T.

(1997). Fatigue revisited. Journal of Sports Sciences, 15 (3), 245-246.

Reilly, T., Sassi, A., Iaia, F. M.

, & A; Rampinini, E. (2006). Physiological and performance effects of generic versus specific aerobic training in association football players. International Journal of Sports

Medicine, 27 (6), 483-492.

, & A; Marcora, S. (2007). Physiological appraisal of aerobic training in association football. Journal of sports science, 23, 583-592.

E. L. G. A., and A. Bangsbo

(2005). Physical demands during an elect female association football game: importance of preparation position. Medicine and Science in Sports, and Exercise, 37 (7), 1242-1248.

, Kj?r, M. , & A ; Bangsbo, J. ( 2006 ) . Muscle and blood metabolites during a association football game: implications for sprint performance. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 38 ( 6 ) , 1165-1174.

The study titled "The effects of weariness on association football boot biomechanics" was published in the Journal of Sports Science, volume 8, pages 156-157. Another related study by Lyons, M., Al-Nakeeb, Y., and Nevill, A. (2006) examined the performance of association football passing skills under moderate and high-intensity localized muscle fatigue. This study can be found in The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, volume 20(1), page 197.